The scenary in New Zealand was really amazing. it's quite the contrast
from the built-up nature of Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, and any
number of other places I've been lately. A more-or-less chrongraphic
look at some of the paces we went:
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We drove through McKenzie Country,
named after a famous shep rustler who apparently managed to steal a bunch
of sheep and hide in these mountains. Given the vistas, it wouldn't
take the threat of a hanging to keep most folks up here a while. The colorful flowers you see are (OK, I forgot the name. Help?). What is intersting is that they are actually a noxious weed. They seem to thrive only in places where they have easy water. You see them in the runnoff ditch by the road, and along every creek bed and ravine. Quite the beautiful little weed... The picture was taken on the road from Lake Tekapo to Lake Wanaka. This road was also my first hint that driving a caravan isn't the same as driving a low-slung sports car. It handles like a bread box in the corners, and climbs hills like a dog after running too far. Oh yeah- high country means big winds. Remember that comment about a bread box? |
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This is more high country, still on the way
from Lake Tekapo to Lake Wanaka. Click here for the B&W version of the same. (Didn't come out quite as well as I'd have liked, but i'm limited in my camera gear at the moment.) |
| This is Lake Wanaka at about 8am. The water is as blue as you could imagine, and the whole thing is quite breath-taking. While we were driving, Zoe and I talked about what is "different" from Singapore to NZ. We talked about the mountains, the fact that there are basically no buildings. the snow, different tree types, and a whole bunch of other things. Smart kid, that one. |
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| Two views from our caravan
park at Lake Wanaka, near sunset. |
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Sunset on the Otago Peninsula
